Dispersing tube

Abstract

A dispersing tube for an airbag deployment system is disclosed. The airbag deployment system includes a combustion chamber with a gas generant disposed inside and an ignitable pyrotechnic element for introducing a combustion product from the pyrotechnic element to the gas generant. The dispersing tube has a thin-walled tubular element mounted to the pyrotechnic element such that combustion products from the pyrotechnic element flow into the tubular element. The tubular element extends into the combustion chamber; the tubular element has selectively weakened areas formed along the tubular element which are adapted to fracture upon introduction of the combustion products. The selectively weakened areas extend along the length of the tubular element. The selectively weakened areas are thinned areas in the wall. The tubular element has an opening at an end. The tubular element is formed from a polymeric material.

1 . A dispersing tube for an airbag deployment system, the airbag deployment system including a combustion chamber having a gas generant disposed therein and an ignitable pyrotechnic element for introducing a combustion product from the pyrotechnic element to the gas generant, the dispersing tube comprising:
 a thin-walled tubular element mounted to the pyrotechnic element such that combustion products from the pyrotechnic element flow into the tubular element, the tubular element extending into the combustion chamber, the tubular element having selectively weakened areas formed therein, adapted to disintegrate upon introduction of the combustion products therein, the selectively weakened areas extending along the length of the tubular element.   
   
   
       2 . The dispersing tube in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the selectively weakened areas are thinned areas in the wall. 
   
   
       3 . The dispersing tube in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the tubular element has an opening at an end thereof. 
   
   
       4 . The dispersing tube in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the tubular element is formed from a polymeric material. 
   
   
       5 . An airbag deployment system comprising:
 a combustion chamber having a gas generant disposed therein and an ignitable pyrotechnic element for introducing a combustion product from the pyrotechnic element to the gas generant; and   a dispersing tube having a thin-walled tubular element mounted to the pyrotechnic element such that combustion products from the pyrotechnic element flow into the tubular element, the tubular element extending into the combustion chamber, the tubular element having selectively weakened areas formed therein, adapted to disintegrate upon introduction of the combustion products therein, the selectively weakened areas extending along the length of the tubular element.   
   
   
       6 . The dispersing tube in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the selectively weakened areas are thinned areas in the wall. 
   
   
       7 . The dispersing tube in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the tubular element has an opening at an end thereof. 
   
   
       8 . The dispersing tube in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the tubular element is formed from a polymeric material.